Accused Witch Burned Alive in Papua New Guinea

A 20-year old mother was tortured and burned alive in front of a large gathering in Papua New Guinea this week, police confirm, as hundreds surrounded the scene and took photos of the grisly incident.

Kepari Leniata was burned with an iron rod and doused in gasoline, according to police spokesman Dominic Kakas, because the relatives of a late six-year old boy accused her of sorcery.

In rural areas of that nation, retaliations against alleged magic can be a tragic occurrence, although this is the first reported such killing in over a year.

"The incident happened in broad daylight in front of hundreds of eyewitnesses and yet we haven’t picked up any suspects yet," Kakas said, adding that Deputy Police Commissioner Simon Kauba "blasted the investigators on the phone."

The victim's husband is the "prime suspect" in organizing this horrific murder, Kakas also said. But over 50 people are believed to have "laid a hand" on Leniata before she died.

"We are in the 21st century and this is totally unacceptable,’’ Commissioner Kulunga said in a statement.